Vélodrome de Roubaix

In between the 2014 Cyclocross World Championships and some local Belgian CX, I sneaked a visit to the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux, or more famously known as the Vélodrome de Roubaix. Since 1989, it has been the finish point of Paris Roubaix. Riders either love the race, or loathe the race. The vélodrome was quiet in early February, but will become a very different place every April. I spent about an hour exploring the place. With overcast skies and little drizzles, it felt like a fitting day to explore. I did not manage to enter the cold stone showers though. Opposite the vélodrome is a café with race history, and memorabilia. Looking at the past pictures, and the list of victors, it felt like a good history lesson about the sport. On the wall of the bar, there is a list of all the riders who had won before. This race really takes no prisoners, except for a few exceptions.

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